The Nepali minister for Health and Population has urged all
mothers to breastfeed their babies for the first six months to be
followed by nutritious food and breast milk for at least two years,
so as to keep them healthy and free from diseases.
In a message on the World Breastfeeding Week that starts
Wednesday, Minister Girijaraj Mani Pokharel also asked all the
mothers of the country to continue the tradition of breastfeeding
babies right from birth and produce healthy citizens for the
nation.
"Beginning breastfeeding within the 1st hour of birth" is the
theme for this year's breastfeeding week, the minister said.
According to the message, the breastfeeding week is observed to
ensure that families know how important a baby's first hour is, so
that they can make sure that their babies are given this
opportunity and to encourage health and other authorities to
include the initiation of breastfeeding in the first hour as a key
indicator for preventive health, among others.
(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2007)